A finite word u is said to be bordered if u has a proper prefix which is also a suffix of u, and unbordered otherwise. Ehrenfeucht and Silberger proved that an infinite word is purely periodic if and only ... [more ▼]

A finite word u is said to be bordered if u has a proper prefix which is also a suffix of u, and unbordered otherwise. Ehrenfeucht and Silberger proved that an infinite word is purely periodic if and only if it contains only finitely many unbordered factors. We are interested in abelian and weak abelian analogues of this result; namely, we investigate the following question(s): Let w be an infinite word such that all sufficiently long factors are (weakly) abelian bordered; is w (weakly) abelian periodic? In the process we answer a question of Avgustinovich et al. concerning the abelian critical factorization theorem. [less ▲]

Feng and Wang showed that two homogeneous iterated function systems in $\mathbb{R}$ with multiplicatively independent contraction ratios necessarily have different attractors. In this paper, we extend ... [more ▼]

Feng and Wang showed that two homogeneous iterated function systems in $\mathbb{R}$ with multiplicatively independent contraction ratios necessarily have different attractors. In this paper, we extend this result to graph directed iterated function systems in $\mathbb{R}^n$ with contraction ratios that are of the form $\frac{1}{\beta}$, for integers $\beta$. By using a result of Boigelot {\em et al.}, this allows us to give a proof of a conjecture of Adamczewski and Bell. In doing so, we link the graph directed iterated function systems to Büchi automata. In particular, this link extends to real numbers $\beta$. We introduce a logical formalism that permits to characterize sets of $\mathbb{R}^n$ whose representations in base $\beta$ are recognized by some Büchi automata. This result depends on the algebraic properties of the base: $\beta$ being a Pisot or a Parry number. The main motivation of this work is to draw a general picture representing the different frameworks where an analogue of Cobham's theorem is known. [less ▲]

In this paper we introduce and study a new property of infinite words: An infinite word x, with values in a finite set A, is said to be k-self-shuffling (k≥2) if there exists a shuffle of k copies of x ... [more ▼]

In this paper we introduce and study a new property of infinite words: An infinite word x, with values in a finite set A, is said to be k-self-shuffling (k≥2) if there exists a shuffle of k copies of x which produces x. We are particularly interested in the case k=2, in which case we say x is self-shuffling. This property of infinite words is shown to be independent of the complexity of the word as measured by the number of distinct factors of each length. Examples exist from bounded to full complexity. It is also an intrinsic property of the word and not of its language (set of factors). For instance, every aperiodic word contains a non-self-shuffling word in its shift orbit closure. While the property of being self-shuffling is a relatively strong condition, many important words arising in the area of symbolic dynamics are verified to be self-shuffling. They include for instance the Thue–Morse word fixed by the morphism 0↦01, 1↦10. As another example we show that all Sturmian words of intercept 0<ρ<1 are self-shuffling (while those of intercept ρ=0 are not). Our characterization of self-shuffling Sturmian words can be interpreted arithmetically in terms of a dynamical embedding and defines an arithmetic process we call the stepping stone model. One important feature of self-shuffling words stems from their morphic invariance: The morphic image of a self-shuffling word is self-shuffling. This provides a useful tool for showing that one word is not the morphic image of another. In addition to its morphic invariance, this new notion has other unexpected applications particularly in the area of substitutive dynamical systems. For example, as a consequence of our characterization of self-shuffling Sturmian words, we recover a number theoretic result, originally due to Yasutomi, on a classification of pure morphic Sturmian words in the orbit of the characteristic. [less ▲]

In this talk, I presented a joint work with Juha Honkala. We study the freeness problem for matrix semigroups. We show that the freeness problem is decidable for upper-triangular 2x2 matrices with ... [more ▼]

In this talk, I presented a joint work with Juha Honkala. We study the freeness problem for matrix semigroups. We show that the freeness problem is decidable for upper-triangular 2x2 matrices with rational entries when the products are restricted to certain bounded languages. We also show that this problem becomes undecidable for large enough matrices. [less ▲]

A finite word is bordered if it has a non-empty proper prefix which is equal to its suffix, and unbordered otherwise. Ehrenfeucht and Silberger proved that an infinite word is (purely) periodic if and ... [more ▼]

A finite word is bordered if it has a non-empty proper prefix which is equal to its suffix, and unbordered otherwise. Ehrenfeucht and Silberger proved that an infinite word is (purely) periodic if and only if it contains only finitely many unbordered factors. We are interested in an abelian modification of this fact. Namely, we have the following question: Let w be an infinite word such that all sufficiently long factors are abelian bordered. Is w (abelian) periodic? We also consider a weakly abelian modification of this question, when only the frequencies of letters are taken into account. Besides that, we answer a question of Avgustinovich, Karhumaki and Puzynina concerning abelian central factorization theorem. [less ▲]

We study the freeness problem for matrix semigroups. We show that the freeness problem is decidable for upper-triangular 2 × 2 matrices with rational entries when the products are restricted to certain ... [more ▼]

We study the freeness problem for matrix semigroups. We show that the freeness problem is decidable for upper-triangular 2 × 2 matrices with rational entries when the products are restricted to certain bounded languages. [less ▲]

in International Journal of Computer Mathematics (2013), 90(6), 1171-1196

We consider a set of eight natural operations on formal languages (Kleene closure, positive closure, complement, prefix, suffix, factor, subword, and reversal), and compositions of them. If x and y are ... [more ▼]

We consider a set of eight natural operations on formal languages (Kleene closure, positive closure, complement, prefix, suffix, factor, subword, and reversal), and compositions of them. If x and y are compositions, we say x is equivalent to y if they have the same effect on all languages L. We prove that the number of equivalence classes of these eight operations is finite. This implies that the orbit of any language L under the elements of the monoid is finite and bounded, independently of L. This generalizes previous results about complement, Kleene closure, and positive closure. We also estimate the number of distinct languages generated by various subsets of these operations. [less ▲]

In this paper we introduce and study a new property of infinite words which is invariant under the action of a morphism: We say an infinite word x, defined over a finite alphabet A, is self-shuffling if x ... [more ▼]

In this paper we introduce and study a new property of infinite words which is invariant under the action of a morphism: We say an infinite word x, defined over a finite alphabet A, is self-shuffling if x admits factorizations: x=\prod_{i=1}^\infty U_iV_i=\prod_{i=1}^\infty U_i=\prod_{i=1}^\infty V_i with U_i,V_i \in \A^+. In other words, there exists a shuffle of x with itself which reproduces x. The morphic image of any self-shuffling word is again self-shuffling. We prove that many important and well studied words are self-shuffling: This includes the Thue-Morse word and all Sturmian words (except those of the form aC where a is a letter and C is a characteristic Sturmian word). We further establish a number of necessary conditions for a word to be self-shuffling, and show that certain other important words (including the paper-folding word and infinite Lyndon words) are not self-shuffling. In addition to its morphic invariance, which can be used to show that one word is not the morphic image of another, this new notion has other unexpected applications: For instance, as a consequence of our characterization of self-shuffling Sturmian words, we recover a number theoretic result, originally due to Yasutomi, which characterizes pure morphic Sturmian words in the orbit of the characteristic. [less ▲]

In the first part of the talk, I will overview some results on state complexity of ultimately periodic sets in various numeration systems. In the second part of the talk, I will present some applications ... [more ▼]

In the first part of the talk, I will overview some results on state complexity of ultimately periodic sets in various numeration systems. In the second part of the talk, I will present some applications of these methods to the following decidability question: given a DFA recognizing a set of integers represented in a fixed numeration system, decide whether this set is ultimately periodic. The techniques presented in this talk could be extended to other classes of sets of integers, and thus, could be applied to new decidability questions. [less ▲]

We are interested in the links between numbers and their representations. In the decimal numeration system, a number is even if its representation ends with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, which give rise to a simple ... [more ▼]

We are interested in the links between numbers and their representations. In the decimal numeration system, a number is even if its representation ends with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, which give rise to a simple representation set, that is, accepted by a finite automaton. More generally, in an integer base numeration system, any divisibility criterion is recognized by a finite automaton. The state complexity of a regular language is the number of states of the minimal automaton accepting this language. The syntactic complexity is the size of the associated syntactical monoid. The first one only takes into account the context on the right side, whereas the second considers both left and right contexts. Given a set of integers, we want to answer the following questions. What is the associated state complexity? What is the associated syntactic complexity? These questions extend to more general numeration systems, as linear numeration systems or abstract numeration systems. Such problems are motivated by decidability problems. For example : given an automaton recognizing a set of integers, decide if this set is ultimately periodic? [less ▲]

Abstract numeration systems were introduced in 2001 by P. Lecomte and M. Rigo. This new way to represent numbers generalizes that of usual positional numeration systems such as integer base numeration ... [more ▼]

Abstract numeration systems were introduced in 2001 by P. Lecomte and M. Rigo. This new way to represent numbers generalizes that of usual positional numeration systems such as integer base numeration systems and linear numeration systems. Some standard properties are preserved in this wider framework though some others are not. Yet, the advantages of these systems stem from their great generality: current research on this subject strives to highlight the properties that are independent of the target numeration system, such as properties related to the complexity of the numeration language. In this talk I will introduce this topic. In particular, I will present many open questions in the area and highlight the connections with combinatorics on words. [less ▲]

Abstract numeration systems were introduced in 2001 by P. Lecomte and M. Rigo. This new way to represent numbers generalizes that of usual positional numeration systems such as integer base numeration ... [more ▼]

Abstract numeration systems were introduced in 2001 by P. Lecomte and M. Rigo. This new way to represent numbers generalizes that of usual positional numeration systems such as integer base numeration systems and linear numeration systems. Some standard properties are preserved in this wider framework though some others are not. Yet, the advantages of these systems stem from their great generality: current research on this subject strives to highlight the properties that are independent of the target numeration system, such as properties related to the complexity of the numeration language. In this talk I will introduce this topic. In particular, I will present many open questions in the area and highlight the connections with combinatorics on words. [less ▲]

in International Journal of Foundations of Computer Science (2012), 23(5), 1035-1066

We show that various aspects of k-automatic sequences — such as having an unbordered factor of length n — are both decidable and effectively enumerable. As a consequence it follows that many related ... [more ▼]

We show that various aspects of k-automatic sequences — such as having an unbordered factor of length n — are both decidable and effectively enumerable. As a consequence it follows that many related sequences are either k-automatic or k-regular. These include many sequences previously studied in the literature, such as the recurrence function, the appearance function, and the repetitivity index. We also give some new characterizations of the class of k-regular sequences. Many results extend to other sequences defined in terms of Pisot numeration systems. [less ▲]

We prove that the subsets of N^d that are S-recognizable for all abstract numeration systems S are exactly the 1-recognizable sets. This generalizes a result of Lecomte and Rigo in the one-dimensional ... [more ▼]

We prove that the subsets of N^d that are S-recognizable for all abstract numeration systems S are exactly the 1-recognizable sets. This generalizes a result of Lecomte and Rigo in the one-dimensional setting. [less ▲]